I want to welcome you to this hybrid version of Speech 151, Group Communication. Speech 151 is an introduction to how groups influence our lives and affect our self-concept. To be successful in business, social organizations and in a family, a person needs to be effective in groups. This course will introduce you to approaches useful in improving your group skills and yet will still allow you to maintain your individual identity.

I want to give you a preview of what to expect so you can decide if this class is right for you.

This is a hybrid class. That means that this course will be taught both face to face in a traditional classroom setting and online. Normally we would be in class around 11 hours per week. Instead we are going to be in class for four and a half hours, with the rest of the time spent online.

You need to have access to the internet! You will be spending about eight hours a week online.

You need to be here every class session, you need to be here on time and be ready to stay till the end of the class. Because we only meet five times, each day you are not in class, you miss assignments which make up a significant portion of your grade. So, each time you miss class, even if you have a great excuse, your grade will drop by close to one full grade. I will not be excluding students. If you cease coming, make sure you drop the course because if you are on my roster by the end of the class, I will have to give you a final grade.

Grading

There are a total of 500 points you can earn in this class. You earn these points from quizzes, homework, online discussions, virtual online class discussions and a final.

In each class, after the first one, you will be turning in weekly work, taking a short quiz and writing up evaluations of group activities. If you come in late, you will not be able to take the quiz and you will lose those points, so please don’t be late.

Note: I will have coffee available for you when you arrive, so plan on getting to class a little early and enjoy a fine cup of "Marteney’s Brew."

I don’t grade on a curve. Every assignment and quiz is worth points.
At the end of the class I total up all the points and you receive the grade those points are worth. All of you can receive an A if you are willing to put in the necessary time.

Textbook

For this class we will be using: Our Groups Our Roles by Jim Marteney. Yes, that name looks familiar. This will be one of the least expensive texts you will have in your college experience. You need to bring the text to class, including the first day. Since it is a combination text and workbook you will not be able to use one from another student. You need a new one of your own.

Online Portion of Class

Beginning Sunday, January 4, your “virtual class” will be available to you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. At the site you will receive class information and an opportunity to introduce yourself to each other.

During the class we will be working in virtual teams. More and more companies are organizing their people into virtual teams so that groups can have people from all over the world. This class will begin to show you how to be an effective virtual team member.

To log on to Speech 151, go to the link below and follow the instructions there:

http://www.lavc.edu/virtualvalley/loggingonline.htm.

Final Thought

I enjoy teaching and want to make this class a positive, stimulating, and enjoyable experience for all of my students. I look forward to seeing you in class.